Arms fair challenged with daily direct action

A key event for the international arms trade took place in London from 9-13 Sept: the DSEI arms fair which hosted 1500 arms companies and 30,000 arms buyers and sellers. The UK government’s invite list was a roll call of authoritarian regimes and human rights abusers. But the fair was challenged by daily direct action disrupting and blockading its business. A few highlights below…

Sunday: Hundreds of people ‘Occupy the arms fair’, blocking both entrances. Occupy camp is set up.

Sunday’s Occupy vs. the Arms Fair action blocked access at both entrances to the arms fair

Following a musical protest at the ExCeL on the Saturday, hundreds of people disrupted the set-up on Sunday as arms dealers arrived and equipment was delivered on the eve of the drones conference on the Monday. Protesters stopped vehicle access to the Eastern entrance. Blockades also obstructed access at the Western entrance. An exorcism was performed by priests and activists from Christianity Uncut.

‘Occupy vs. the Arms Fair‘, was called by Occupy London as part of Stop the Arms Fair’s week of action. It is supported by Campaign Against Arms Trade and solidarity protesters from Algeria, Bahrain, Brazil and Turkey.

Eighteen people were arrested for obstruction of the highway, after refusing to leave the road to allow vehicles access to the arms fair. The Occupy camp established on the day continued as a visible challenge to the arms fair at its Eastern entrance throughout the week.

Meanwhile at least one activist managed to enter the site on a mission to remind arms dealers of the consequences of their business.

Activists blocked access to Lockheed Martin for three hours before being arrested.

In Central London campaigners superglued themselves to the entrances of the offices of Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest arms company, which is exhibiting at DSEI. They prevented access for three hours. Police arrested five people who were not released until the following morning.

Hundreds gathered at the arms fair on Monday night for a silent vigil – a powerful moment on the eve of the official opening of the fair.

Tuesday: Christian activists prevent main visitor entrance opening for over an hour. Cheeky ‘meet and greet’ actions send arms dealers in all sorts of directions (apart from towards the fair). The opening night reception at the Cutty Sark was blockaded.

Arms dealers were delayed for over forty minutes by this blockade at Custom House as the fair opened

On the day 30,000 arms dealers arrived in London for the official opening of the arms fair, campaigners were there to meet them at London City Airport: to help them find their way (the long way round!) and point them out to fellow passengers. See the video of this action here. This clearly had an impact as later in the week, announcements were heard at Custom House station, advising DSEI delegates to remove their passes before boarding the train!

Campaigners discovered the location of a dinner for the opening night of the arms fair, where senior civil servants from the governments’ arms sales unit, UKTI DSO, were in attendance: at the Cutty Sark. Activists were there first and blocked all four entrances. Arms dealers eventually had to enter via a fire exit and were ‘escorted’ to their cars with protesters pointing out their profession at the end of the night.

A woman was arrested at Custom House DLR station for attempting to leaflet arms dealers entering the fair. She was released five hours later without charge.

A critical mass cycle ride converged with other protesters at the Troxy, where a “charity” event for arms dealers was taking place. Protesters obstructed the entrance, and engaged local residents with information about the arms fair. An ‘arms’ themed installation appeared on a lamp post nearby. See a photo report of the protest here.

Friday: Occupy camp joined by campaigners for protest on final day of the fair. Vince Cable’s constituents hold vigil at his surgery.

The Occupy camp maintained a 24 hour challenge to the arms fair

Hundreds of ‘DSEI End Product’ cards, designed to remind arms dealers of the human impact of their trade, found their way into hotel rooms, bars, and car parks.

Local constituents challenged Vince Cable on the government’s role in organising the arms fair at a vigil at his surgery in Twickenham. Cable is responsible for the departments which both approve export licenses and promote weapons sales abroad.

The amazing Occupy camp, which survived wind, rain and sabotage to maintain a 24-hour challenge to the arms fair at its Eastern entrance was joined by others for a final protest before packing up as the arms dealers headed home.